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This content was published: January 9, 2007. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

Martin Luther King Celebration Scheduled for Jan. 14

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The annual Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., is scheduled for 4 to 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 14 at the Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton (12250 SW Denney Road). This year’s celebration is titled “Compelled by a Dream.”

Mayor Rob Drake will give the welcome and music will be provided by the choirs of Hillsboro Community Youth, Joyful Noise, and Southminster Presbyterian Church. The keynote speaker will be Mahtab Mahmoodzadeh-Thomas, an educator who will reflect on her volunteer work as a youth with the King Center in Atlanta. A panel will read excerpts

from King’s most famous speeches. The event will be emceed by Carlos Perez, chair of the newly-formed Human Rights Council of Washington County.

The Inter-religious Action Network will also announce this year’s honoree of the Everyday Heroes Award. Started in 2002, the Everyday Heroes Award honors people in Washington County for their work toward reconciliation and their commitment to community in the tradition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year’s honoree is Karen Hudspeth. She is a registered nurse who has developed parish nursing within First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hillsboro. She is the former board president of Family Bridge, a shelter for homeless families in Hillsboro. She was also the impetus behind HomePlate, a program for homeless youth, and the longtime youth advisor at First Congregational UCC.

The Celebration is organized and sponsored by the City of Beaverton, Portland Community College, Inter-Religious Action Network of Washington County, and Baha’is of Washington County.

All are invited to attend the MLK Celebration. It is free of charge, and light refreshments will be provided. For more information call 503-846-5792.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »